PHOTO ENCOUNTER PAKISTAN is an initiative aimed at raising funds for Pakistan's flood affected people and will feature over 300 photographs by Pakistan’s top photographers including Arif Ali, Umair Ghani, Tapu Javeri, Pervaiz A. Khan, Arif Mahmood, Mahmood Qureshi and Ayesha Vellani. The exhibition will take place in several cities throughout the United Kingdom, from the end of November to early December.

In this collection are some of the photographs that will be on display at the exhibition.

ENTERING THE SHAH RUKN-E-ALAM’S DARBAR<br />
Shah Rukn-e-Alam’s Tomb, Multan, Punjab<br />
The tomb of the Sufi saint Shah Rukn-e-Alam (The pillar of the world) was built between 1320 and 1324. This octagonal building rises to a height of 30.5 metres and has an internal diameter of 16 metres. The dome, said to be the second largest in the world, has a diameter of 17 metres. The exterior of the Mausoleum is made of red bricks, embellished with glazed tile panels, string courses and battlements.<br />
Photographer

A SAINT FOR ALL<br />
Madho Lal Hussain’s Shrine, Lahore, Punjab<br />
A malang dances at Madho Lal Hussain’s shrine. Shah Hussain was a mystic and Mado Lal, a Hindu youth, was his friend and disciple. Shah Hussain was so close to Madho Lal that he is known by the composite name of Madho Lal Hussain, and they are buried beside each other. His death anniversary (urs) is celebrated with a Mela Chiraghan (Festival of Lights) every year in March.<br />
Photographer: Mahmood Qureshi

MOUNTAIN FISHERMAN<br />
Chitral District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa<br />
A local man throws a net into the glistening waters of the Chitral River, which is well known for trout fishing. Chitral, which is located at an altitude of 1,100 metres, lies at the foot of Tirich Mir Mountain, the highest peak of the Hindu Kush range (7,708 metres). For six months the district is snowbound. Chitral is home to the elusive snow leopards.<br />
Photographer: Sharjeel Ahmed

RIDING INTO THE SUNSET<br />
Kanjwani, Punjab <br />
These tent peggers with lances aloft ride away after a day in the arena. Tent pegging is a popular equestrian sport in Pakistan. A rider, carrying a lance or sword, attempts to pull out a peg screwed into the ground. He wins four points if he is able to carry the peg for a distance of three metres. If the peg drops before, he only wins points. If he is unable to pull the peg, he is dropped from the game.<br />
Photographer: Umair Ghani

THE BLUES OF BHIT SHAH <br />
Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s Shrine, Bhit Shah, Sindh<br />
Elaborate kashi tiles in shades of blue decorate the surfaces of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s shrine, which is built in typical Sindhi style with limestone domes, minarets, tile and mirror work. Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai is a revered Sindhi saint and poet; he renounced material comforts, and chose a bhit or sand dune on which to sit and meditate. His poems have been compiled in a collection entitled Shah Jo Risalo.<br />
Photogra

A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN<br />
Lyari, Karachi, Sindh<br />
A young boy from Karachi’s poverty and trouble stricken locality of Lyari dribbles a football, barefoot in the street. Football is a favourite sport in the neighbourhood but most young boys are forced to play in the street due to a lack of dedicated recreational spaces.<br />
Photographer: Hussain Afzal

MEAT MARKET<br />
Karachi, Sindh<br />
Two transgender persons (hijras) loiter outside a butcher’s stall in Karachi. A marginalised group, they often live in communities headed by a guru; while historically hijras were the special group of people who were given access to the harems in royal courts, today they are reduced to prostitution, begging and performing at ceremonies for a living.<br />
Photographer: Kohi Marri

TERRACE VIEW<br />
Walled City, Lahore, Punjab<br />
In Lahore’s Walled City, a woman standing in her balcony peers into the narrow street below. Originally the City could be accessed through 13 gates, although some have been destroyed. Several multistoried red brick havelis with carved wooden balconies and overhanging windows are also located in the Walled City.<br />
Photographer: Mahmood Qureshi

DIVINE INTERSECTION<br />
Allahwala Chowk, Karachi, Sindh<br />
The Allahwala Chowk stands resolutely at the intersection of Tariq Road and Shahrah-e-Quaideen, one of Karachi’s busiest commercial hubs. Tariq Road is a shopper’s paradise and is busy throughout the day and well into the night. <br />
Photographer: Tahir Jamal

CATHEDRAL AT NIGHT<br />
St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Karachi, Sindh<br />
St. Patrick’s Cathedral stands tall and majestic in the night. The Cathedral was consecrated in April 1881. It was built in the Gothic style and designed by three members of the Society of Jesus: Father Wagner, Brother Kluver and Brother Lau.<br />
Photographer: Tahir Jamal

IN THE SHADOW OF MR. JINNAH<br />
Mr. Jinnah’s Mausoleum, Karachi, Sindh<br />
Boy Scouts and Girl Guides visit Mr. Jinnah’s Mausoleum on August 14, Pakistan’s Independence Day. Mr. Jinnah once said that “scouting can play a very vital role in forming the character of our youth, promoting their physical, mental and spiritual development and making them well disciplined, useful and good citizens”.<br />
Photographer: Tahir Jamal

BEAUTY BECOMES HER<br />
Pakistan Fashion Week 2, Karachi, Sindh<br />
A model prepares for the ramp at Pakistan Fashion Week 2. Held in Karachi in March 2010, the event showcased local and international designers and was covered in the international media including New York Fashion, The Independent, The Telegraph, Time as well as CNN and the BBC.<br />
Photography by: Malika

PATRIOTIC FERVOUR<br />
Shiekhupura Stadium, Sheikhupura, Lahore<br />
A young cricket fan looks on to the field of play as he and a group of supporters cheer on the Pakistan cricket team at the Shiekhupura Stadium. The Stadium which was built as a multi-sport facility is mostly used to host cricket matches. It is the same venue where Wasim Akram scored his highest test score against Zimbabwe. <br />
Photograph: Arif Ali

CAMEL RIDE AT CLIFTON<br />
Clifton Beach, Karachi, Sindh<br />
A camel ride by the deceptively calm waters of the Arabian Sea is one of the main recreational activities for visitors to Clifton’s famous beach strip – Sea View. Besides wading through the shallow waves, visitors can enjoy horse rides as well. Cargo ships seen on the horizon are a reminder of the importance of Karachi as a regional hub of trade and commerce.<br />
Photographer: Tahir Jamal

BIG SISTER’S BABY BROTHER <br />
Taubat, Neelum Valley, Azad Jammu &amp; Kashmir <br />
A young girl from Taubat carries her baby brother as she walks back to her hometown, Taubat in the Neelum Valley. The Neelum Valley is a 200 kilometre long valley and runs along the Neelum River (known as Kishanganga pre-Partition). It is considered to be the most picturesque of Kashmir’s valleys and is famous for its scenic beauty, fir forests and waterfalls.<br />
Photographer: Tapu Javeri

Comments (7) Closed

maana

Nov 16, 2010 10:20pm

My beautiful country!!!

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Rehanna Khan

Nov 17, 2010 08:06pm

These photos are truly stunning - they capture so many elements of national beauty, pride, culture and spirit. The photo of the boys playing soccer in the street is heart-wrenching because all children should have a safe place in which they can play, but Pakistan is so poverty-stricken that they are forced to play anywhere they can find space, and that happens to be in the street. They innocently don't know that they deserve better and yet they still manage to enjoy themselves. The other photo that touched my heart was the photo with the girl in Kashmir holding her baby brother. She's just a child herself and yet she plays a vital role in raising her younger sibling. You can literally see the wisdom beyond her years in her eyes.
I'm full of pride that Pakistani artists have taken this initiative to raise funds for the flood victims of Pakistan and commend them in their valiant efforts - shabash!!!

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Aneeque Khakwani

Nov 19, 2010 04:13pm

Excellent work!

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Amar

Nov 20, 2010 02:21am

Hello Tapu
The one photo i can't keep my eyes off is the little beautiful girl carrying her younger brother - her eyes are so beautiful and are saying something - amazingly beautiful.
Usually i am lazy to write, but this photo compelled me to write to you.
Thanks
Amar

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The reader

Nov 20, 2010 11:49am

Wow! I almost forgot it existed!

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Ishrat Junaid

Nov 20, 2010 04:27pm

The photographs are amazing and the photographer(s) deserves praises for showing us some of the images which are rare to be seen. Our country, PAKISTAN, is a beautiful country, let us make it a peaceful and more beautiful place in the world by our deeds. Love your people, love your country, PAKISTAN ZINDABAD. Long live the people of PAKISTAN. May ALLAH keep it safe from all the evil eyes and wrong intentions (a'ameen).